How do I get started using the server?

Article
08/03/2009

Applies To: Windows SBS 2008

To finish your installation, complete the Getting Started Tasks on the Home page in the Windows SBS Console. It is recommended that you complete the tasks in the order listed. That helps you protect information that is stored on the server and helps you fully enable the features that are available in Windows SBS 2008. If you choose not to perform the Getting Started tasks, users might not be able to access some network features.

To start a task, click it. When you complete it, select the check box in the Completed column to track your progress. To return to these tasks later, return to the Home page of the Windows SBS Console.

The following tables define each of the items that can appear in the list of Getting Started tasks.

Finish installation

View installation issues

Displays a list of issues that were encountered during installation. Double-click an issue to see detailed information about it.

Note
View installation issues appears only if there are issues that you need to address before you continue setting up Windows SBS 2008.

Using the Windows SBS console

Opens a Help topic that explains the administrative tasks that you can accomplish by using the Windows SBS Console.

Migrate the server

Migrate to Windows SBS

Starts the Windows SBS 2008 Migration Wizard. This wizard helps you migrate successfully from Windows SBS 2003 to Windows SBS 2008.

Note
Migrate to Windows SBS appears only if you started the process for migrating to Windows SBS 2008 during installation by using the migration answer file. For information about finishing the migration, see “Windows Small Business Server 2008 Migration Guide” at the Microsoft Web site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=104281).

Connect to the Internet

Helps you connect your server to the Internet by using the information that your Internet service provider (ISP) provides to you.

Note
If the installation wizard found a router that is connected to the Internet, the Connect to the Internet Wizard ran during the installation, and you do not need to run it again. Also, if you already have a connection to the Internet, you do not need to run this wizard.

Customer feedback options

Enables you to participate in the Microsoft Customer Experience Improvement Program, which collects anonymous information about computer hardware and how you use Windows SBS 2008, without interrupting you. This helps Microsoft identify which features to improve. No information collected is used to identify or contact you. Click Customer feedback options to opt in or out of this program.

Set up your Internet address

Enables you to register and configure a public Internet address for your server.

Configure a Smart Host for Internet e-mail

Enables you to configure advanced settings for sending Internet e-mail.

Add a trusted certificate

Enables you to request and install Web certificates from third-party certification authorities. Trusted certificates help secure the traffic to Remote Web Workplace, and they eliminate the need for users to install the Certificate Installation Package on non-domain joined computers.

Protect your data

Task	Description
Configure server backup	Helps you create and manage backups of your server data. For more information, see "Backing up and Restoring Server Data" at the Microsoft Web site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=101616).

Add users, computers, and devices

Task	Description
How can users access computers on the network?	Opens a Help topic that describes how Windows SBS 2008 enables users to access the network from any computer that they have permissions to log on to.
Add a new user account	Helps you add a new user account to the network.
Connect computers to your network	Helps you connect computers to the network.
How can I add a shared printer to the network?	Opens a Help topic that describes how to add and share network printers.

Grow your business

Task	Description
Activate your Office Live Small Business account to help you grow your business	Enables you to take, promote, and manage your business online—with one account. You can grow your business by signing up for Microsoft Office Live Small Business. Microsoft Office Live Small Business includes a free business Web site and business applications that help employees and customers share documents. You can integrate your Office Live subscription with Windows SBS 2008, and then access your account and your Web sites from your Windows SBS network.

Activate your Office Live Small Business account to help you grow your business

Enables you to take, promote, and manage your business online—with one account. You can grow your business by signing up for Microsoft Office Live Small Business. Microsoft Office Live Small Business includes a free business Web site and business applications that help employees and customers share documents. You can integrate your Office Live subscription with Windows SBS 2008, and then access your account and your Web sites from your Windows SBS network.

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